2XKO Character Tier List: Best Champions Ranked In Early Closed Beta
If you’re looking for the ultimate 2XKO character tier list, then your search ends right here. After months of waiting, players are finally able to get their hands on Riot Games’ hottest upcoming fighting game. The only question that remains is: which champions are the strongest picks to dominate the arena?
This guide will break it all down and give you a clear ranking of every 2XKO character so you’ll know exactly who to pick up and why.
Image source: Riot Games
2XKO Tier List: All Characters Ranked Best To Worst
As of September 17, 2025, there are only nine playable characters in the 2XKO roster. So, instead of separating them into traditional tiers, we will be power ranking them all from best to worst based on raw statistics, community feedback, tournament performance, and more.
| Ranking | Character |
|---|---|
| 1 | Vi |
| 2 | Darius |
| 3 | Blitzcrank |
| 4 | Ekko |
| 5 | Yasuo |
| 6 | Illaoi |
| 7 | Jinx |
| 8 | Ahri |
| 9 | Braum |
Best 2XKO Champions Ranked In Early Closed Beta
The closed beta has been out for a little bit, and now is the time when the meta really begins to take shape. With that in mind, let’s break down each 2XKO character in greater detail to see what makes them strong (or holds them back).
#1 – Vi
If you’re looking for a close-range brawler, then Vi is the best 2XKO character for the job. Although she may not have the most wins compared to some other characters in the competitive scene, she is considered one of the best characters in the game.
What makes her stand out is that she has some of the cleanest movement in the entire game, despite being a melee-only character. Like in League of Legends, Vi is excellent at gap closing, making her rather annoying to deal with!
Image source: Riot Games
#2 – Darius
If you’re looking for a 2XKO character that is easy to play and does a lot of damage, then look no further than Darius. The Hand of Noxus packs as much punch here as he does on Summoner’s Rift.
Although he is a melee character, Darius does have a good level of range, meaning he can surprise his opponents at any time. He also has a wound effect, meaning he does more damage to wounded enemies.
#3 – Blitzcrank
Blitzcrank is just as irritating in 2XKO as he is in League of Legends. Built as a grappler, he belongs to one of the more frustrating archetypes to deal with in any fighting game. A single grab can completely change the game and punish even the slightest mistake.
Blitzcrank’s Rocket Grab can yank ranged enemy champions into his clutches, forcing them into unfavorable close-quarters fights. If you need a 2XKO character that can spam abilities, Blitzcrank is your robot.
Image source: Riot Games
#4 – Ekko
At this point, 2XKO characters become very good, but also more challenging to play. Ekko has been showcased at the highest level as a powerful character in 2XKO. The only catch is that he’s someone who relies on timing and good combos to be effective.
If you’re new to the game, it’s probably not the best idea to pick up Ekko straight away. Echoing (pun intended) his identity in LoL, he has a rewind function, which means he can hit certain combos that other characters can’t.
#5 – Yasuo
Much like his role in LoL, Yasuo is a complicated character to master in 2XKO. His abilities revolve around his stance moves, which means he’s not really a button-masher character. What’s more, he also requires precision to be effective.
That said, if you can land the correct combos (good luck with that), Yasuo can be one of the highest damage dealers in the entire game.
Image source: Riot Games
#6 – Illaoi
Illaoi might be sixth on our 2XKO character tier list, but she holds up her reputation from League of Legends as the ultimate bruiser. While she is known for quick bursts and dishes out large amounts of damage, Illaoi does come with a few weaknesses.
For starters, Illaoi excels far more as a duo than as a solo character who is going to string together consecutive wins. Beyond that, new players will find her tough to play, which is why she is mostly only seen at higher-level tournaments.
#7 – Jinx
With many characters that can close the distance quite easily, it is no surprise that Jinx is on the lower end of our 2XKO power ranking. Jinx’s kit (much like in League of Legends) is centered around ranged attacks and kiting the enemy before they can get close to you.
On top of that, if someone can get close to her, she doesn’t really have a counter, making her relatively useless. Until Riot buffs her, she’s unlikely to see much play outside of niche situations.
Image source: Riot Games
#8 – Ahri
Ahri is among the most popular characters in League of Legends. But she’s popular for other reasons in 2XKO. She is instrumental as a support character in duos, but as a solo character, she leaves a lot to be desired.
New players will take a while to get used to the fact that Ahri has the lowest HP of any character in the game, meaning she is more of a glass cannon compared to other characters.
#9 – Braum
If you want a beginner-friendly 2XKO character to ease into the game, Braum is a solid choice. Just keep in mind that he becomes far less effective against stronger players. That said, there are many better characters out there to use.
He is better served as a support character than one who is going to win you a bunch of games. Braum simply lacks the damage to compete with the high-tier characters.
FAQs
Who is the best 2XKO champion to play?
Vi and Darius are arguably the best beginner-friendly champions in 2XKO. As you get comfortable and master the game’s more advanced mechanics, Yasuo or Ekko could take your gameplay to the next level.
How many 2XKO characters are there?
There are currently nine playable characters in 2XKO. A tenth character (possibly Teemo) is expected to be announced before launch.
Will 2XKO have more characters?
Yes, Riot Games intends to bring more characters to the game. Riot’s executive producer, Tom Cannon, revealed that the development team is aiming for a roster of 24 champions as a “good starting point.”
Is 2XKO easy to learn?
Riot has done a good job at making the game beginner-friendly, thanks to a range of excellent tutorials on how to execute basic combos.
When is the 2XKO release date?
Right now, there is no confirmed 2XKO release date outside of an expectation that it will be released sometime in 2025.
